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0. K. TRUITT; I DEVICE FOR 'MOI STENING THE LEAVES OF PRESS COPY BOOKS.

Patented Nov. 1, 1892.

ill/631168363 w m e m 1 fitarnejs THE Noizms Perms to. PHOTO-LITHOO WASHINGTON. n. c.

' NITED STATES ATENT OFFI E.

OWEN K. TRUITT, WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

DEVICE FOR MOISTENING THE LEAVES OF PRESS-COPY BOOKS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 485,592, dated November 1, 1892. Application filed June 11, 1892. Serial No. 436,392. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, OWEN K. TRUITT, a citizen of the United States, residing at Washington, in the District of Columbia, have invented a certain new, useful, and valuable Improvement in Devices for Moistening the Leaves of Press-Copy Books, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

This invention is an improved device for moistening the leaves of press-copy books. \Vhen the leaves of a press-copy book are dampened with wet blotters or with a hair brush, it is exceedingly difficult to distribute the water evenly over the sheets.

The object of my invention is to remedy this defect and provide a device which is at all times ready for use and one that will moisten the leaves in a uniform manner, thereby producing perfect press-copies without variation.

With these objects in view the invention consists, essentially, in a moistening device comprising a water-reservoir having a broad flat side, upon which it is designed to rest when not in use, acontracted mouth arranged opposite the fiat side, and wicks placed in the mouth and extending at one end outside the reservoir and at the other end extending entirely to the inner face of the flat side, whereby the wicks are constantly kept in condition for immediate use.

My invention consists, further, in certain details of construction and combination of parts, all of which will be fully described hereinafter, and pointed out in the claim.

In the drawings forming a part of this specification, Figure l is a perspective view of my improved moistener. Fig. 2 is avertical longitudinal section. Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical section, and Fig. 4 is a detail View of the moistening-wick.

In the practical embodiment of my invention I employ a water-reservoir or fountain A, which is constructed of glass, pottery, or metal, as may be desired, and is made broad and flat at its upper end to provide an abundant space for water and also to provide a suitable base to rest upon when not in use. The lower end of the reservoir is formed with a broad flat mouth a, and in one of the broad fiat faces of the reservoir is produced a filling-vent a, through which water is introduced, which vent is normally closed by means of a plug M, as clearly shown. A series of broad flat moisteningwicks B are inserted in the mouth of the reservoir and extend the entire length of the said reservoir, as shown in Fig. 2.

Two wicks are usually employed,each wick being doubled, and between the adjacent faces of the inner wick is arranged apiece of cloth 0, which, as compared with the wicks,

does not readily absorb water, and thus prevents the water from flowing from one wick to another, and thereby unduly increasing the distribution of Water. This, together with capillary attraction, insures a uniform distribution of moisture upon the copy-press sheet.

In operation the wicks are inserted in the mouth of the reservoir and pushed in the de-i sired distance. The plug is then removed, the reservoir filled with water, and the plug replaced. The plug or screw-cap being upon the side, and not at the top, facilitates the filling of the reservoir, as the water does not then run out at the mouth of the reservoir. The wicks quickly absorb the water by capillary attraction and become thoroughly saturated, and when it is desired to use the device it is only necessary to draw the projecting ends of the wicks across the sheet and the operation is completed. When not in use the moistener is seated upon its broad fiat base, and all danger of spilling the water is thus avoided, and by reason of the fact that the wicks extend to the fiat face they are constantly kept moist and in condition for use whatever may be the quantity of water in the reservoir. Should the edges of the wicks become ragged or uneven, they can be drawn out and trimmed, thus quickly remedying any defects that may occur.

From the above it will be seen that I provide a very simple, cheap, and efficient device that will quickly dampen the leaves of a presscopy book and moisten the same uniformly and evenly.

Having thus described the construction, op eration, and advantages of my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patcut, is---- An improved moistening device consisting of a reservoir having a broad flat side, a con- In testimony whereof Iaffix my signature in tracted month arranged opposite the flat side, presence of two witnesses. a series of moistening-wicks inserted in the 1 r1 rVW mouth and projecting inward into the reser- OWEN lRUn 5 Voir, and 2t non-conducting cloth inserted be- Vitnesses:

tween the layers of the wicks, substantially H. L. DAVIS,

as described. J. G. WEIDE. 

